86 The Esquimaux. 



The Esquimaux are a strong sturdy race, closely 

 resembling in appearance the natives of Northern 

 China. They have the same high cheek-bones and 

 oblique-shaped eyes as the inhabitants of the Celes- 

 tial Empire, but with thicker lips, and more full in 

 the face. 



They seem a good-tempered merry set of people, 

 though decidedly deficient in the virtue of grati- 

 tude ; taking things as a matter of course that may 

 be given to them, and asking for things, no matter 

 of what value, that take their fancy. The idea of 

 giving anything in exchange is, with them, quite 

 a visionary one. 



This was strongly exemplified on board the 

 " Arctic," as the good nature of our worthy captain 

 made him load all that came off to the ship with 

 cheese, pork, bread, soap (I do not think the latter, 

 though readily accepted, is in great requisition), 

 and various other articles, for which he received no 

 thanks whatever. Indeed, some went so far as to 

 complain of others receiving more than themselves, 

 and requesting therefore a further supply. The 

 women are by no means comely, the prettiest part 

 being certainly their costume, which is most pic- 

 turesque. Their mode of doing the hair, which is 

 tied up in a knot on the top of the head, is not pre- 

 possessing. They are very fond of any ornaments 

 or outward show ; beads and cheap jewellery are 

 therefore in great demand. They seem very in- 



